Dude...totally tubular time!

Oh my, the girls had ants in their swimming pants to finally get to the lake and join their cousins!!!

Uncle Reid and Aunt Joan have an awesome boat and tubes and are so kind to share with all of us! As you can see the girls were having such a great time! Erin and cousin Garon were having a dual with their legs while Ellen was standing balancing and little Emmy was just hanging on for dear life:)

We have good weather, great place and a wonderful family time this week with all our Durst cousins/aunts/uncles and a new little baby! Thank you Jesus for Your gifts--they are Good!

Oh to know!

Driving in a light downpour of rain in Missouri to lake of the Ozarks for a week of family and fun!  I love this time with Ryan and the girls AFTER we all chose to get happy in the same pants we were all frustrated in:). We woke up later than we wanted, chose the wrong coffee for Ryan, Ellen's hair did not turn out like she wanted (from sleeping in a braid),  it was rainy, muggy and hot as we loaded to go.  

Then, after about an hour, we popped in a Beth Moore DVD from her James series that just put us in our place.  She talked about the sin of cynicism--thinking we are better than we are and the critical way we view people, things, situations.  She reminded us that our God is a God who STILL changes lives; who is active and present; who moves.  

So, precious Lord, forgive our doubting and our weakness when we revert back to what feels good regardless of others . . . Help us to be ever mindful of who You are and who we are in You:  chosen and redeemed!

Lord, bless us on this trip, grant us safety and protection and help us to be a blessing for You!  For it is to this we are called (1st Peter 1:9). 

Oh, and we all had happy pants (of course, buying new school shoes didn't hurt! And a fresh cup of coffee!) by the time we arrived.  Thank goodness:)

Spa days or Spoiling days!

My little girlies getting pedis! They loved the nail art the girls did--way to go Keksey and Ashton.

My sweet Ellen went fishing with Cody instead! I love their friendship--he is 100 percent boy and Ellen just adores him. Thank You Jesus for the desires You have given them; may they honor You with them!

This why I will always teach Sunday School!

Thank You Jesus for the children; they are precious in Your sight!!!

Thank God for daddies!

Man, i am thankful for this man!  He puts up with way more than he deserves and loves me just the same.  I am so thankful God has given these girls, Ryan L. Durst, to be their daddy and allowed me to be his wife.

 

Ryan,

You are so patient and kind.

You love unconditionally.

You are steady.

You are a God.follower.

You are a hard worker.

You are a person of integrity.

You are competitive and serious.

You are dry and funny.

You weigh more than I do (that's a good thing for me as you well know).

You want to be better each day.

You enjoy the gifts you have been given.

You are completely opposite from me sometimes.

You are completely similar to me at times.

Most importantly, you love.  You really love.

God.  Me.  Ellen.  Erin.  Emily.

 

Thank you!  We adore you and love you so much!!!

Okay, keeping it real.  You annoy me as much as I do you!  I believe that's why it works babe!!!

Life is Precious!

These are my sweet girlies (any my ugly toes, sorry!).  I don't know if any of you are fans of The Chronicles of Narnia - i love, love, love the series!!!  In the last book, Narnia is destroyed and Aslan and those who believe in Him are taken to another world through this hole so.to.speak while Narnia burns and is destroyed.  This picture reminded me so vividly that we too one day will be transported to another world while this one is destroyed.  I am so thankful my girls have chosen to believe.  They are sealed until the day of redemption, amen!

In the meantime, the sky reminds me we are here, now to do what God has purposed for us.  Help us Lord to seek Your face and Your will.  God, thank You for the smiles on their faces - protect them always!  Amen and amen.

June & Friends - 2 Beautiful Things!

This is Tuesday afternoon - so, early in the week; only 1 night of activities yet my body feels like it is Friday night and like every night has been a double header ending in a tie - ha!

June is a wonderful, beautiful and crazy month!  Father's Day; bible school; vacation; ball games; swimming, birthdays, organizing, planting flowers, gardens, mowing, outdoor running, God things - thank You sweet Jesus for June!

Lord, thank You right here and now for friends in my life.  Not just casual friends, not only acquaintances or common interest friends, but friends you have put in my life who love You in spirit!  Lord, they encourage my faith walk, my journey, Lord bless these people!

I am humbled to know them and I am blessed.  Amen

 

 

 

This is a picture of friendship.  Bless You Lord.